STEVE Holland cut a lonely figure in the away dugout at Glanford Park at 5pm on Saturday.

Gathering his thoughts after watching side’s seventh league defeat of the season it was hard not to feel sorry for a man who is clearly truly dedicated to the Alex cause.

Viewed in isolation, Saturday’s defeat at Scunthorpe is not the end of the world. The team played well in patches but eventually succumbed to the rampant league leaders on their own turf.

Many teams will go exactly the same way in the not too distant future.

But the fact is it was Crewe’s sixth game without a win; they failed to score for the third time in the last four games; and the result has left them second bottom of League One.

Holland eventually made his way from the dugout to face the Press, and went on to take full responsibility for the situation. He promised to get things right.

But perhaps it is the players who should carry the can for the club’s predicament. On paper, and on past performances, all should be more than capable of helping the Railwaymen to a vastly improved campaign compared to the last one.

Some arrived at the club at considerable cost. Others have been painstakingly developed through the Academy over many years.

So why was 20-year-old John Brayford – making his league debut after being plucked from non-league in the summer – the stand-out performer, displaying superior commitment and application to those in the blue change strip around him?

Only the other 13 can answer, and supporters must hope they find it within themselves soon.

Brayford was thrust into the fray at right back, filling for Danny Woodards who had moved centrally to cover for Dennis Lawrence (international duty).

James Bailey recovered from concussion in time to fill the void left by Michael O’Connor (international duty), and Billy Jones wore the captain’s armband for the first time. The Iron welcomed influential skipper Izzy Iriekpen back to the heart of their defence.

Skipper Jones spoke to the players in a huddle before kick-off, and the men in blue equalled the hosts in an energetic opening.

The first shot of the match, hit by Paul Hayes after a poor kick out by keeper Steve Collis, went high over the bar.

Hayes also had the next chance, heading goalwards after Cliff Byrne’s free-kick. This time Collis made a smart stop at the foot of his post and Tom Pope hooked clear.

On 11 minutes Crewe finally got hold of the ball, and when Shaun Miller cut inside after collecting a pass from Jones his 20-yarder skidded just wide of the upright, on 11 minutes.

Matt Sparrow forced a corner after nipping inside Jones and testing Collis. From the flag kick Woodards had to head an Iriekpen header off the line.

Then Gary Hooper hit the side netting from an acute angle after rounding Collis, as Scunthorpe turned up the heat.

The Alex responded with a Mark Carrington shot which was deflected for a corner. When it came in Calvin Zola forced keeper Joe Murphy to push it behind again, but United easily cleared and Collis had to save from Sparrow as they countered.

The deadlock was broken with 10 minutes of the first half remaining. Woodards defended well and shepherded Hooper away from goal after Jones had failed to stop a cross from the right.

But the striker’s reverse cross went through the defender’s legs and Martyn Woodford drifted in from the left for a simple tap in.

On 42 minutes only a brilliant save from Murphy preserved his side’s lead. Steve Schmacher’s free-kick was flicked towards the top corner by Pope but Murphy soared to claw it clear.

Holland’s latest tactic to help his side start the second half well was to conduct part of his team talk on the pitch.

It had the desired effect as they got underway brightly. Bailey saw a shot tipped for Crewe’s fifth corner and Brayford’s header was saved by Murphy.

Zola got in to good positions but invariably failed to make the right contact. Brayford looked a threat down the right and the midfield had a real grip on proceedings.

But the Alex’s resurgence had made the game a wide open affair, and Woolford reminded the visitors how dangerous they could be on the break by fizzing a 30-yarder inches over. Then Hooper broke through and wobbled a post with his strike, before a superb flowing move culminated in Woolford’s rising effort which came down off the bar.

United had suddenly stepped up their play several gears and the Alex could not live with it. Their deserved second came when Hooper teed up Hayes for a clinical finish. Hayes had another ruled out for offside soon after.

Clayton Donaldson and Eugen Bopp replaced Zola and Carrington with 18 minutes left. But they made no impression whatsoever.

Someone who did was Iriekpen who, despite limping throughout the second half, climbed highest to meet a Woolford corner and thumped it home on 79 minutes.

Only a magnificent last ditch challenge from Brayford prevented sub Jonathan Forte from making it 4-0 late on.